The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-24


sisted on his escorting Inc home. Mrs DALI
was III at the time, so did not want 10 iethe
know what had happened.
We waited at the vcarage with the greatest
impatlcnce for Johns return Charnc pe'
havcd horribly, and filed my head with the
most gruesomc fancics. | can not Imagine
where he could have heard all the dreadful
stories he told me. lie decided that Mrs.
Mort must have killed her husband, anu that
the dead body was stuffed up the parlor chin
ney. At last seeing how frightened | was
he tried to calm me by Laughing at himself
mo, Mary said he; "l'vc got 1t now.
The old lady keeps her husband chained up III
the back kitchen, on bread and water, and
only lets him out when he has finished book'
She finds that is the only way to make hir
work"
| could not help smiling at this idea, but
nevertheless was mighty curious to hear whai
nv husband would have to tell lie returned
about noon, and we met him at the gate
saw at once by his face that my silly fears
had been uufounded. lie laughed heartily,
as he glanced at my pale checks and scared
expression.
"Don't be frightened, little woman he
said, taking my arm. "lt's nothing so very
dreadful, after all We had great work to get
into the house, and II WAS only when the
squire threatened to have tue door broken
down that Mrs. Mort let Us in never saw
woman look so furious. Mr.. Dale was very po
lite but said that, as there were all kinds OF
rumors anoat. he had felt 1t his duty TO ask to
see Mr.. Mort in person. .....
"You can't; he's busy answered Mrs.
Mort.
"I am sorry to say said the squire, that
must insist on disturbing him. There Is sus
pcon, ridiculous enough no doubt of foul
play on your part, Mrs. Mort. kindly assist
me in clearing this matter up, for once anu
ALL
"I can't; he's asleep. Call again. she
snared.
"'You are prevaricating,' answered the
squire. i must search the premises. Consta'
BILE attend to this lady while we 20 upstairs.
'Alrs. Mort threw herself on the ground be
fore him, aud clasping his knees, besough'
him not to do so-not TO wake her James, bul
to call again.
'This, of course only confirmed the magis
tratc's suspicious, and handing the lady over
to the constable, who locked himself up with
her In the famous drawing-room, he went up
stairs accompanied by me.
The first room we came into was furnished
with bed, table, and a chair. The table
was fitted with writing materials, and covered
with pages of manuscript. pile OF books
was hcaped up in one corner. All the Other
rooms were quite empty, and, though we in
stituted n thorough search in all directions,
we were unable to discover any trace OF Mr.
Mort or of his mortal remains.
AT last we descended TO the drawing-room
We found Mrs. Mort at the piano She wal
PLAYING the Dead March in Saul The con
stable tapped his head significantly as he lei
us in
81 ask YOU for the last time, Mrs. Mort,
said the squire very gravel, to tell me where
your husband Is, or what has become of him
We have searched the house all over, and car
find no trace OF him.
az tell YOU he's writing his Letters from
Heaven, T" said the lady, without interruptnl
her performance ON the piano He's out you
can't see him.
"'Constablc, arrest that woman, cried Mr.
Dale. You must excuse Inc, madam, but
must do my duty You will be kept In custo
dy on suspicion Of murder until we have fount
your husband, or until you have accounted fo
his absence In sati factory manner Wilson
wait here until | send my brougham round
You will come on in II to the grange. ] an
anxious to avoid scandal
''Oh,' cried Mrs Mort, IL IT'S as serious Al
all that had better explain Mort's DEATH
'Ahn said the squire. And when ant
how" .u.
NATURALLY enough, answered Mrs. Mort
He died of serious apoplexy in Paris ST.
months ago. II you will look in the drawe
of my writing-tablc upstairs you will find TIN
dcte dc deces from the Paris register Office, a
well as the French DOCTORS certificate
1.-THE squire ran upstairs, and presently re
turned With the documents In his hand.
az am glad TO see that we have been mis-
taken he said and am very sorry that thi
should have occurred. But perhaps, madam
YOU will explain ......
so shall explain nothing at all, snarled tn
lady. You have no right to ask me- dom
blame YOU, but that young imp Of Satan VIII
came here last night. Chats YOU Charlie.
And II you have done botherlng perhap
you'll all get out Of the house
'We retired considerably crestfalen, bu
greatly relieved at the unexpected denouc
ment Of what we had thought would turn on
a tragic affair But Dale is firmly resolved 4
have the woman out Of the house In week
time. How he will manage II | don't know
"But,n | cried, 'it seems to me as mysteri
GUS as ever. Why should she conceal her hus
| l,.1f Ia ssa